AYRSHIRE COLLEGE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Head of Service for Children
- Member of the General Teaching Council
- Non - Executive Board Member
Alison graduated with a Masters Degree in English Literature and has been a member of the General Teaching Council since 1999. In addition to teaching, Alison has also worked in a Health and Wellbeing role with East Ayrshire Council.
On returning to teaching, Alison took on the role of Depute Head Teacher at Ardrossan Academy, before becoming Head at Dumfries High School and then Head Teacher at Irvine Royal Academy. Whilst in post at Irvine, Alison became familiar with the work of Ayrshire College as a result of the College's partnership with North Ayrshire Council (NAC), utilising a vacant wing of Irvine Royal Academy. Alison believes this innovative partnership between the College and NAC has significantly benefited many young people and she has been inspired by the College's vision and strategic objectives.
Alison was appointed as Head of Service for Children, Families & Justice Services in North Ayrshire Council in 2019, a role which she continues to fill.
Her current remit is Vice Chair of the Learning, Teaching an Quality Committee.
Job Titles:
- Vice Principal - Curriculum
Job Titles:
- Non - Executive Board Member
Growing up in Ayr, Beth completed her secondary education at Belmont Academy and was involved with the Burns Club of Alloway and Ayr Roberts Burns Club. Beth studied Business Management at the University of Glasgow, during which she spent several years on the Business Club Board and remained involved in various Burns Events and traditions.
From University, Beth began her career on a graduate scheme with Jabil, an International Electronics Manufacturing Company, as a member of the business function team. Following this, Beth moved to a position in category management with Maxiim, to a position as an Account Manager with itison and then to her current position as and Account Executive with Booking.com
As a relatively young person, Beth believes that she would be able to make a valuable contribution as a board member and that being a board member would equally support her own personal development.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive
- Principal
- Principal Ex - Officio
Job Titles:
- Director - Human Resources and Organisational Development
Job Titles:
- Elected Student Member ( Student President )
As a Student Ambassador previously, Ellie has valuable experience in dealing with students' issues regarding their learning, especially during the pandemic, and has previously assisted students to have their concerns met and their voices heard. As Student President, Ellie aims to carry the same goals of improving the student learning experiences and allowing students to feel seen and heard. Ellie's focus as Student President is to bring more awareness to mental health both within and outside the College to ensure that the correct support is provided where necessary. Ellie looks forward to working with Board members and to working with colleagues to help raise the student voice.
Job Titles:
- Interim Chair
- Non - Executive Board Member of the College
Fiona has been appointed as Interim Chair of Ayrshire College effective 5 March 2022. Fiona has been a non-executive board member of the College for the past 3 years and has held the role of Vice-Chair of the Board of Management and Chaired the Learning, Teaching and Quality Committee and the Performance Review and Remuneration Committee.
Fiona's career spans three decades of executive public sector leadership, primarily across the health system and latterly within the Civil Service. She was appointed as an Executive Nurse Director in 1993 and has held a variety of roles, including the Chief Nursing Officer for the Scottish Government. She is passionate about good governance being at the heart of an organisation and also that people are at the heart of decision making. She has wide ranging experience in supporting organisations to transform and improve and is committed to openness and transparency as well as reducing inequalities. Fiona is a strong and active advocate of educational development for all ages and has been personally involved in the development and approval of undergraduate nursing provision across Scotland. Fiona is a strong supporter of the College sector and the value that it adds to communities.
Fiona was awarded a CBE for services to the NHS in June 2021.
Job Titles:
- Director of Finance, Student Funding and Estates
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Elected Staff Member ( Curriculum / Teaching Staff )
Janette has been a Lecturer of Social Science with Ayrshire College since 2004. She has active interests in digital technology for learning and teaching and is currently working hard on developing her digital skills to fit into this modern teaching world!
Janette is a newly elected member of the Board and is looking forward to being part of this important team and of the experience it will provide.
Job Titles:
- Non - Executive Board Member
Mary left school to pursue a four-year athletic scholarship in in the USA. Inspired by her experience, Mary became a professional athlete, competing at international level and combining her athletics career with part-time and full time studies, in addition to work as a Police Constable with Lothian and Borders Police. Mary's studies culminated in the award of a Masters Degree in Performance Psychology. She also holds qualifications in Physical Education and executive Coaching & Mentoring.
Upon graduating, Mary worked at Edinburgh College for a number of years as a Lecturer in Sports Psychology, Strength and Conditioning. Mary now works with the SportScotland Institute of Sport as a Senior Performance Lifestyle Advisor, providing individualised coaching, mentoring and counselling services that support performance athletes. She was involved in the preparation of Scotland's athletes for the Glasgow 2014 and Goldcoast 2018 Commonwealth Games and has been appointed as Squash Team Manager for Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
In addition, Mary has become increasingly interested in the areas surrounding mental health, specifically anxiety stress and depressive moods. She is currently Director of Mary McClung Coaching, a Psychology and Hypnotherapy company that supports individuals and groups with Mental Health and Wellbeing.
Mary left school to pursue a four-year athletic scholarship in in the USA and became a professional athlete. She combined her career with part and full-time studies, culminating in the award of a Masters Degree in Performance Psychology. Mary is currently Director of NLP with Aurora Wellbeing and passionately believes in providing people from all parts of society with the opportunity to maximise their potential through the provision of opportunity, environment and encouragement.
Job Titles:
- Group Head of IT for AGS Airports
- Incorporated Engineer With the Institute of Engineering
- Non - Executive Board Member
An Ayrshire native, Matthew is an Incorporated Engineer with the Institute of Engineering and Technology and a Chartered Manager. Following his graduation from the University of Strathclyde with a joint honours degree in Computer Science and Accountancy, Matthew joined Glasgow Prestwick Airport where he held several roles culminating in appointment as Head of Department for Engineering and Capital Projects. Matthew then took up a position at Edinburgh Airport in Terminal Operations where he led multi-million pound outsourcing contracts.
As of November 2020, Matthew is the Group Head of IT for AGS Airports. He previously performed a dual role as Head of Airside Operations (GLA) and Interim Group Head of IT for AGS Airports based at Glasgow Airport, leading a directly employed team of over 60 and managing operational budgets in excess of £14m annually.
The opportunity to bring his technical knowledge and experience to the Ayrshire College Board to understand and shape the best ways in which technology can be used operationally in a learning environment and in improving the student experience is his current focus.
His current remit is Vice-Chair of the Business, Resources and Infrastructure Committee.
Job Titles:
- Non - Executive Board Member
Mike is currently Director of Maintenance at Chevron Aircraft Maintenance Ltd based at Prestwick Airport and brings much sought after aviation and aerospace engineering knowledge and skills to the Ayrshire College Board of Management. Aircraft engineering and airframe maintenance engineering has seen continued growth in South Ayrshire in recent years and has a significant presence at Prestwick Airport.
Mike is committed to the development of the young workforce and apprenticeship programmes in Ayrshire, whether it be for the aviation/aerospace industry or for other employers seeking a skilled workforce.
Job Titles:
- Chairman and CEO of Leonardo
- Co - Chair of the Defence Suppliers Forum
- Non - Executive Board Member
Norman was appointed Chair and CEO of Leonardo in the UK on 1 September 2016. He is also Managing Director of Leonardo Electronics, a post he assumed on the formation of the division in February 2019, and in which he has responsibility for business units with revenues in excess of 4 billion. Norman leads an international team based in the UK, Italy and the USA.
In his position as Chair and CEO of Leonardo in the UK, Norman is responsible for the growth and development of the business. He also has responsibility for interaction with the UK Government, customers in the UK MoD and the Front Line Commands, in the UK Security domains, and with Unions. In the USA, he is a member of the Leonardo Electronics Inc. Board of Directors, which operates under SSA guidelines.
Norman is co-chair of the Defence Suppliers Forum alongside CEO of UK DE&S. He is a member of the Defence Growth Partnership Steering Committee, former Chairman of SBAC (now ADS) Scotland. He is also the Co-Chair of the Committee looking at encouraging Young People into Engineering, under the Sponsorship of HRH The Prince of Wales.
Job Titles:
- Non - Executive Board Member
With an honours degree in Health and Social Care and as a registered nurse, Sharon returned to formal education during her career and studied dental nursing. Later in her career, she studied full time to complete a Masters in Business Administration in 2018 majoring in strategy and completed a research dissertation focussed on adverse events and risk. Sharon was a trainer for the NHS Education for Scotland Practice Manager course and she supported the Modern Apprenticeship programme by employing and supporting dental nurses in training. Following the sale as Co-owner, Managing and Operations Director with Three Towns and Kilwinning Dental Care, Sharon established 'Tomorrow Services Ltd'. The company provides training, mentoring, inspection and consultancy services. Sharon currently is the Coordinator with The Living Room which is a local community hub for people experiencing mental health issues.
Sharon believes that, owning her own business, her experiences, skills and knowledge working with small to medium enterprises would be valuable as a Board Member. Sharon has always promoted continuing education, training and development to support career aspirations and firmly believes training and education offerings need to capture the needs of organisations. Sharon is fully committed to supporting the college, and her work as a volunteer has given her a good understanding of the issues facing communities and the challenges of funding for government and third sector based organisations.
Job Titles:
- Fellow of the Institution of Engineering
- Non - Executive Board Member
Steve is a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology. Having spent 10 years in the RAF as an Engineer in support of the Nimrod aircraft, Steve left the Service in 1994. Following a 4-year period working for a large US avionics manufacturer, he joined the National Air Traffic Service (now known as NATS) in 1998.
Having served as leader in a number of engineering and computing support roles, including as Review Board Chair for major investment projects, Steve now holds the position of Head of Operational Requirements & Acceptance for NATS.
His current remit is Vice Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee.
Job Titles:
- Non - Executive Board Member
Originally from Girvan, Steven qualified with an Honours Degree in Accounting and Finance at Glasgow University before embarking on a global career with the Weir Group PLC. Steven is currently the Chief Financial Officer for the University of Strathclyde, located in Glasgow.
Steven has maintained a detailed knowledge of the circumstances of his native county and its post-school educational provision, which have been strengthened by his current role. He is a strong believer in the provision of educational opportunities as a means of tackling regional economic depression and social deprivation.
Steven believes in the need to work in tandem with employers and other stakeholders, in identifying employment opportunities and curriculum developments designed to match the needs of the employers, and is strongly supportive of the provision of modern apprenticeships and the role they can play in developing the economy of Ayrshire.
His current remit is Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee.